Hasta La Gadget!

People love to recycle old vinyl records into new things. Vinylize makes hipster eyewear out of old records. So how do they make glasses from old records?

Well, before the records are cut, they are bonded with cellulose acetate to frame them and give them strength. It makes for a really unique look, that’s for sure. Very hipster. Definitely groovy. Here’s a short video that shows Vinylize’s production process:

Vinylize is based in Budapest, Hungary, and they have been making vinyl glasses for over a decade, so they do know what they are doing. The sunglasses can be purchased online from their website, where each pair retails for about €330 (~$440 USD). If you are a hipster looking for something new for your wardrobe, here it is.

[via Inhabitat via Gizmag via OhGizmo!]

There’s no denying that cats like technology. Whether they’re playing Fruit Ninja, stepping all over your keyboard, or playing the synthesizer, cats and tech go together like peanut butter and chocolate. So why fight this natural phenomenon? Instead, get your cat a computer of its own.

Okay, this former iMac isn’t exactly a functional computer anymore, but it is a lovely place for kitty to hang out and catch a cat nap. It’s been decked out with a cozy cushion for your pet, then bolted onto a colorful base assembled from an old chair to help give kitty the kind of elevated view you know he demands.

The guys at Atomic Attic upcycle these old iMacs into comfy and stylish pet beds, presumably because your cat wouldn’t be comfortable inside of an original 128k Macintosh, let alone today’s razor-thin iMacs.

Each one is fitted with a custom cushion with a removable slip cover. Prices for these iMac pet beds range from $129 to $229(USD) and can be found over on Atomic Attic’s Etsy shop.

It’s been a while since I did any serious circuit board hacking, but back in the day I saw my share of electronic components. One of my favorite parts was always the resistor – not because of its rudimentary electrical properties – but because its value could always be identified through a convenient color-coding scheme. In fact, I think at some point I had actually memorized a resistor color chart. Of course, now my mind is feeble, and I couldn’t tell the difference between a 22 ohm and a 2200 ohm. While I don’t personally wear bracelets, I’m still highly compelled by this nifty bracelet made from colorful resistors.

Artist Megan Nissen of Techcycled carefully selects resistors and assembles these nifty “ladder” style bracelets which have a rainbow of resistor colors. While the bracelets are definitely geeky, they’re also elegant, with sparkly Swarovski crystals and finished with a nice silver toggle clasp to hold it on your wrist.

The Rainbow Resistor Bracelet sells for $125(USD) over on Etsy. While you’re over there, be sure to check out Techcycled complete collection of  jewelry fabricated from recycled electronic components and wires.

Resistance is futile. There, I said it.

I don’t know about you, but I need a giant steampunk dragon in my home. One that doesn’t actually breath fire, because, well… no more home if it were to breath fire in my living room. This is exactly why Daenerys Targaryen is always on the move. You just can’t keep these things indoors.

Anyway, this sculpture by Kreatworks measures 10.8 feet-tall, 9 feet-long and 10 feet wide. Yes, this is an amazingly big dragon. It is made out of recycled metal and auto parts and weighs over 880 pounds. It may just sink into the foundation of your home if your floors aren’t well reinforced. And you can’t easily move it to vacuum underneath.

The one seen here was sold. Of course. Because large ass dragons are in demand. If you want one for yourself, Kreatworks will custom make one for you for just $11,500 (USD). Totally worth it. I’m gonna start saving today – though I have no idea how I’ll get it through the front door.

[via Nerd Approved]

We’re so used to seeing Darth Vader dressed in all black, but his iconic helmet really works well no matter what color it’s done in. Heck, even Hello Kitty Vader was pretty imposing. But I think that this version of Vader, built out of old bits of reclaimed electronics and other junk looks really awesome.

I kind of wish that when they peeled back the helmet on Vader in Return of the Jedi, this is what they would have found underneath instead of Sebastian Shaw. I can’t tell for sure what all of the components came from, but there’s definitely some old adding machine and typewriter keys, circuit boards, gears and resistors on this handmade helmet.

It was created by Indiana artist Gabriel Dishaw, who has a love for making sculptures from found junk. The Darth Vader helmet is selling for $800(USD) over on Etsy now. While that may seem like a lot of money, I’m betting that Vader’s actual helmet cost him just as much.